Ramps in Michigan: building permits, renters and snow

Before a Michigan family builds a ramp, two things are worth knowing. The state's construction code office says a building permit application goes to "the appropriate enforcing agency" before construction, and in Michigan that agency may be the state, your county or your city, village or township. And if you rent, Michigan's disability civil rights law covers reasonable modifications in connection with a real estate transaction.

Here is what the state's pages and statutes say, then what Michigan snow and rain mean for a ramp surface, and products that help at the door.

Michigan's permit rule and who enforces it

The Bureau of Construction Codes explains on its building permit information page that "provisions for one- and two-family dwellings are included in the Michigan Residential Code." Its general rule: "Before construction of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit."

It defines a narrow exception: "A permit is not required for ordinary repairs," and ordinary repairs "shall not include ... the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the exit requirements." We read a new entrance ramp as construction rather than an ordinary repair, since it changes how people get in and out, so expect to apply unless your enforcing agency tells you otherwise.

Finding the right office takes a step. The Bureau suggests reviewing the "Statewide Jurisdiction List," because "building code enforcement ... may be conducted by either the state, county or local unit of government." The same page notes that "A person engaged in the construction of a residential structure ... must be licensed as a Residential Builder," with "certain exceptions in the licensing law." Ask your enforcing agency whether your ramp needs a permit and whether you may build it yourself.

We did not find a Michigan rule that exempts residential ramps from permits by size or height.

Renting in Michigan

The Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, MCL 37.1506a(1)(a), says a person shall not, "in connection with a real estate transaction," "Refuse to permit, at the expense of the person with a disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the person with a disability if those modifications may be necessary to afford the person with a disability full enjoyment of the premises." It continues: "In the case of a rental, the landlord may, if reasonable, make permission for a modification contingent on the renter's agreement to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted."

The section also requires covered multifamily dwellings first occupied after March 13, 1991 to have at least one building entrance on an accessible route "unless that is impractical because of the terrain or unusual characteristics of the site." Covered buildings are those of 4 or more units with an elevator, and ground floor units in other 4-unit-plus buildings.

Snow, lake effect and the ramp surface

NOAA's Michigan climate summary reports that "the south shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula and the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in the Lower Peninsula receive much more snowfall than the rest of the state. Parts of the Upper Peninsula receive more than 180 inches annually." Rain is heavier than it used to be too: statewide precipitation reached "a high of 41.8 inches in 2019," against a long-term average of 31.7 inches.

A ramp in those places has to be cleared, sometimes daily. Plan its route so snow can be pushed off the side rather than piled at the landing, keep the surface slip-resistant, and make sure water drains away from the bottom so it does not refreeze into a sheet of ice.

Products that help at the door

• Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp: puzzle-edged rubber sections build up to 4 in high with no tools, with a 36 in usable width; Harmar says it works from doorways to curbs.
• Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener: its clutch disengages when not activated, so the door still works by hand, and an internal battery keeps it going in a power failure.
• Open Sesame Proximity Sensor Tag Set: a tag reader with 3 ft, 6 ft and 9 ft settings that works from both sides of the wall, so the door can respond without a button press when hands are full of gloves or groceries.
• Open Sesame Wireless Wall Touch Pad (FT): a wall-mounted wireless pad by the door that anyone in the home can touch to open it.

Michigan Assistive Technology Program

The Michigan Assistive Technology Program provides free demonstrations and free short-term device loans, and it says it is "truly statewide, providing services in every county." It also offers "Information and Assistance" on "funding resources, or service providers in your area." The AT3 Center lists device reutilization and a financial loan program for the state.

Ordering and delivery to Michigan

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC; orders over $500 ship free, smaller orders ship for $15, and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Read the Michigan shipping page, and use the ramp fit check to size a ramp for your entry.

Questions about ramps in Michigan

Do I need a permit to build a wheelchair ramp in Michigan?

Plan on applying. The Bureau of Construction Codes says an owner or agent shall submit a written building permit application to the appropriate enforcing agency before construction, and only ordinary repairs are exempt, which excludes changes to a required means of egress. We found no state exemption for ramps by size.

Who issues building permits for my Michigan address?

It depends on where you live. The Bureau of Construction Codes says code enforcement may be done by the state, the county or the local unit of government, and it points applicants to its Statewide Jurisdiction List to find the right office before applying.

Can a Michigan landlord refuse a ramp?

MCL 37.1506a(1)(a) bars refusing, in connection with a real estate transaction, reasonable modifications at the expense of the person with a disability if they may be necessary for full enjoyment of the premises. A landlord may, if reasonable, require the renter to restore the interior when leaving, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

How should I plan a ramp for Michigan snow?

NOAA notes that parts of the Upper Peninsula get more than 180 inches of snow a year and that the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan get much more than the rest of the state. Leave room to push snow off the side, keep the surface slip-resistant, and drain water away from the landing.

Browse ramps and door openers, start the ramp fit check, or work through the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes: building permit information
• MCL 37.1506a (Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, real estate transactions)
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Michigan (2022)
• Michigan Assistive Technology Program
• AT3 Center: state assistive technology programs
• Product specifications: Faith Mobility product pages for the Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp, Open Sesame Residential Opener, Proximity Sensor Tag Set and Wireless Wall Touch Pad